Development and Cooperation - Stefan Rother on the Global Forum on Migration and Development
Touchy issue
For more than a decade, international organisations have been pointing out that migration can support development. Political discourse in destination countries, however, mostly sees migration as a problem.
For more than a decade, international organisations have been pointing out that migration can support development. Political discourse in destination countries, however, mostly sees migration as a problem.
Different viewpoints became apparent once more at the annual meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), which was held in Sweden in May. The GFMD is a voluntary, non-binding series of conferences outside the UN system. Governments, international organisations and civil society are involved in the GFMD.
Different parties have different ideas concerning the impact of migration on development. Some argue that remittances – the money migrants earn abroad and then send home to their families – could contribute substantially to developing the countries of origin. Others point out, however, that one cannot simply use private money for development plans, and that the costs of migration must be considered as well.
Read the full article at http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/migrants-are-becoming-more-vocal-demanding-human-rights-progress-remains-slow
© Development and Cooperation 2014